Many times portfolio managers spend a great number of pages outlining their approach to investment management including such things as diversification, risk mitigation, downside risk, global reach, access to various asset classes, behavioural considerations, standard deviation, beta, etc. The list can go on and on and is mainly a lot of industry jargon. 

I view portfolio management as an extremely important area and do all of the above items, however it is somewhat like getting a listing of every single bit of detail surrounding an upcoming surgery you are about to have (including the particular size of scalpel) ….similarly this depth of information is less than useful. We take care of this part for you; we are disciplined and rigorous in our approach (detail is our orientation).

What you need to know is that I have a team of analysts, portfolio managers and expert economists behind me that outline our firm approach (which I follow) and I myself hold a Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA) as well as a Certified Financial Planner designation (CFP). I will help navigate and translate the technical side for you if you wish, however there is absolutely no need if you prefer to focus on your life instead. I am your fiduciary.

Having said this, as a brief summary:

• Primarily your portfolio will be invested in the Investment Consulting Service (firm approach):
  • One of Canada’s premier programs providing discretionary management while engaging with top pension-quality institutional money managers 
  • In creating your recommendation, your portfolio manager has access to over 25 managers (one being CIBC Asset Management), spanning 120+ investment strategies covering all investment classes and styles. 
  • Both private pools as well as individual holdings will be used and our in-house team of experts provides timely research support to guide portfolio construction
  • Every component of this program is professionally managed and it will have the oversight of your dedicated Portfolio Manager and her team
•  In addition, when appropriate, your portfolio manager has the flexibility to use, individual GICs, high quality bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and can house concentrated positions
  • Use of these products may reduce your overall cost structure
• Although my license is very broad, given my background and training, a discretionary firm approach will represent the majority of your portfolio besides the areas listed above, which will be used only when appropriate

Given the brief explanation, feel free to ask me any question that you might have; happy to help explain.

Investment Consulting Service (Firm Approach)

At CIBC Private Wealth, we use a unique unbiased approach that employs proprietary private investment ideas and experts as well as select best-in-class external talent from around the globe.  We partner with institutional-quality firms who are normally only available to institutional investors. 

The external asset management firms are chosen for inclusion in the portfolio based on rigorous selection criteria and are closely monitored on an ongoing basis.  The addition of these world-class specialists allows us to ensure that your assets are managed thoughtfully and from a diverse perspective.  Collectively our external managers run well over $7 trillion in assets worldwide.

Institutional Investment Managers

CIBC Asset Management  - Investment Management Research Team

Investment Consulting Service (firm approach) – Managers Selected

• First, we establish a global asset allocation model based on traditional asset classes: Canadian money market, Canadian equities, global equities, Canadian fixed income, global fixed income and high yield bonds.
• Second, we extend the global model to include a broader asset mix, which is expected to improve the portfolio’s risk-adjusted returns. In addition to the traditional major asset classes, we include real assets, emerging market equities and debt, floating rate loans and multi-sector fixed income.  Our recommendations to fund these allocations would come from prior allocations to bonds and equities.  The inclusion of result in higher long-term expected return and less risk (as measured by standard deviation).
• Lastly, we look at alternative strategies offered through absolute return strategies and private assets to diversify the portfolio or earn a higher return.